With Ghosita

At one time Venerable Ānanda was staying near Kosambī, in Ghosita’s Monastery.

Then the householder Ghosita went up to Venerable Ānanda, and said to him:

“Honorable Ānanda, they speak of ‘the diversity of elements’. ^[1]

In what way did the Buddha speak of the diversity of elements?”

“Householder, the eye element is found, as are agreeable sights, and eye consciousness.

Pleasant feeling arises dependent on a contact to be experienced as pleasant.

The eye element is found, as are disagreeable sights, and eye consciousness.

Painful feeling arises dependent on a contact to be experienced as painful.

The eye element is found, as are sights that are a basis for equanimity, and eye consciousness. ^[2]

Neutral feeling arises dependent on a contact to be experienced as neutral.

The ear … nose … tongue … body …

mind element is found, as are agreeable ideas, and mind consciousness.

Pleasant feeling arises dependent on a contact to be experienced as pleasant.

The mind element is found, as are disagreeable ideas, and mind consciousness.

Painful feeling arises dependent on a contact to be experienced as painful.

The mind element is found, as are ideas that are a basis for equanimity, and mind consciousness.

Neutral feeling arises dependent on a contact to be experienced as neutral.

This is how the Buddha spoke of the diversity of elements.”